Ade, Bev and James on SV Falcon, Sailing across the Atlantic from Cape Verde to Grenada as part of ARC+ 2022. 10 min video capturing the essence of a typical Atlantic crossing.
Fantastic video (again!). There is something about your videography which really communicates all the emotions of an ocean passage. Maybe that comes from recording what you see (and which we subsequently enjoy) using the camera as a means rather than an end. Your quiet comfort for your ocean passengers is a delight to watch. The sound of the wind and water rushing along the hull is never far away. When your destination appears on the plotter (nearly there!), there is a palpable sense of achievement - and all done so safely. So many special moments. Well done, amazing stats at the end. Wherever you go from here - keep posting!!
Thanks Simon. Its lovely to receive such positive feedback. Our videos are only really meant as family memories, but so glad that others like yourself get some enjoyment also.
Congratulations. If I'm not mistaken your dead-downwind sail is one of the tradewind sails (elvstrom blue water runner?), how did you like it? Did you run it off a single pole with the other side slightly in the wind?
Hi Remi. Yes the Blue Water Runner performed really well downwind. Yes pole’d out upwind side which allowed us greater angle ‘off wind’. Limitations are the Furler. For us that meant it worked best 10-18k (anything stronger we sailed main and Genoa ‘wing on wing’ and reefed main/Genoa accordingly) The BWR is a big heavy Dacron sail and needs a heavy duty ratchet furler. We used it with our lighter weight Gennaker furler which meant we had to furl it in at 18-20k. Beyond this the Furler slips and we couldn’t furl it in easily. The combo of ‘wing on wing’ and BWR meant we were well rigged for downwind all the way across the Atlantic. Getting your downwind rig right is a priority for an Atlantic Crossing IMO. If you get a twin headsail make sure you’re Furler is strong enough..!
@@svfalcon3440 thanks for the feedback! Did you feel confident leaving it up at night, or did you take it down in case of squalls? I have seen the sailmakers argue that it can be used as a larger genoa (code-0-style) with both sails on top of one-another, which always seemed dubious to me due to the weight of the sail. Did you try it in that mode?
@@TehTuxer we’ve not used the sail as a Code Zero. But we know others who have and they say it works well. It was risky leaving it up at night. Most nights the wind picked up. We got caught out once getting furled in. Generally a day time sail unless you can get it furled in quickly.
Thanks Stephan. Good luck on your plans for the crossing for next year. Unfortunately the Hydrovane rudder sheared off 3/4 way across. It happened to two other yachts. The fault is with the newly designed rudder. The company have been excellent and are replacing with a better design nylon rudder. Our friends on an Oceanis 45 crossed with a Hydrovane last year and it worked well for them. So even though our new design rudder failed, I would still recommend the unit. There are nuances in setting them up and they need regular tweaking. However It provides redundancy for rudder and auto-helm. The latter is re biggest failure on Atlantic Crossings. It also saves on 8-10Ah power drain using the auto-helm.
We did. One drank a little. The birds rested for several hours and two stayed all night. They were far more sprightly in the morning and then they set off on their way again. The last one had been with us for nearly 24 hours. I’m glad we gave them a place to rest and recuperate
I am so glad to hear that. My brother is a real bird buff and he was the first to point out to me that water was probably the most important first aid for migrating, or storm relocated, birds.
Look for ‘crew seekers’ postings on facebook and social media. Skippers are often looking for crew to help on a passage. Try and get some experience at anything to do with sailing. Keep a log and build on it whenever you can. Helps if you cook as well.. good luck
😂 I know. We had a crazy dance session most days. Good for exercise but also lifts spirits. Two weeks away from land is a long time. Do stuff to make it fun..!!
Fantastic video (again!). There is something about your videography which really communicates all the emotions of an ocean passage. Maybe that comes from recording what you see (and which we subsequently enjoy) using the camera as a means rather than an end. Your quiet comfort for your ocean passengers is a delight to watch. The sound of the wind and water rushing along the hull is never far away. When your destination appears on the plotter (nearly there!), there is a palpable sense of achievement - and all done so safely. So many special moments. Well done, amazing stats at the end. Wherever you go from here - keep posting!!
Thanks Simon. Its lovely to receive such positive feedback. Our videos are only really meant as family memories, but so glad that others like yourself get some enjoyment also.
So good
Good
Congratulations. If I'm not mistaken your dead-downwind sail is one of the tradewind sails (elvstrom blue water runner?), how did you like it? Did you run it off a single pole with the other side slightly in the wind?
Hi Remi. Yes the Blue Water Runner performed really well downwind. Yes pole’d out upwind side which allowed us greater angle ‘off wind’. Limitations are the Furler. For us that meant it worked best 10-18k (anything stronger we sailed main and Genoa ‘wing on wing’ and reefed main/Genoa accordingly) The BWR is a big heavy Dacron sail and needs a heavy duty ratchet furler. We used it with our lighter weight Gennaker furler which meant we had to furl it in at 18-20k. Beyond this the Furler slips and we couldn’t furl it in easily. The combo of ‘wing on wing’ and BWR meant we were well rigged for downwind all the way across the Atlantic. Getting your downwind rig right is a priority for an Atlantic Crossing IMO. If you get a twin headsail make sure you’re Furler is strong enough..!
@@svfalcon3440 thanks for the feedback! Did you feel confident leaving it up at night, or did you take it down in case of squalls?
I have seen the sailmakers argue that it can be used as a larger genoa (code-0-style) with both sails on top of one-another, which always seemed dubious to me due to the weight of the sail. Did you try it in that mode?
@@TehTuxer we’ve not used the sail as a Code Zero. But we know others who have and they say it works well. It was risky leaving it up at night. Most nights the wind picked up. We got caught out once getting furled in. Generally a day time sail unless you can get it furled in quickly.
Brilliant video, thanks! How did you do your watches at night with three crew?
Thanks. Three hour shifts worked well. X6 hours off is enough for a good sleep and 3 on is the max before losing concentration.
@@svfalcon3440 thanks fr your reply!
What kind of boat is she?
Beneteau Oceanis 45
What a fantastic crossing! I hope to follow your trails next year.
I see you used a windvane. did it perform well?
Thanks Stephan. Good luck on your plans for the crossing for next year. Unfortunately the Hydrovane rudder sheared off 3/4 way across. It happened to two other yachts. The fault is with the newly designed rudder. The company have been excellent and are replacing with a better design nylon rudder. Our friends on an Oceanis 45 crossed with a Hydrovane last year and it worked well for them. So even though our new design rudder failed, I would still recommend the unit. There are nuances in setting them up and they need regular tweaking. However It provides redundancy for rudder and auto-helm. The latter is re biggest failure on Atlantic Crossings. It also saves on 8-10Ah power drain using the auto-helm.
Did you experience any issues, because it is quite some way off the centre line?
@@gunnarlongitude4360 the Hydrovane rudder works fine offset. Check out their website for info.
Those are not sea birds, did you offer then fresh water?
We did. One drank a little. The birds rested for several hours and two stayed all night. They were far more sprightly in the morning and then they set off on their way again. The last one had been with us for nearly 24 hours. I’m glad we gave them a place to rest and recuperate
I am so glad to hear that. My brother is a real bird buff and he was the first to point out to me that water was probably the most important first aid for migrating, or storm relocated, birds.
which flag sv falcon sails under please.
Daktari, she flies a Red Ensign (Red Duster), so she is a British ship.
hi how i can join travel by boat around sea and ocean around world i am now in Indonesia
Look for ‘crew seekers’ postings on facebook and social media. Skippers are often looking for crew to help on a passage. Try and get some experience at anything to do with sailing. Keep a log and build on it whenever you can. Helps if you cook as well.. good luck
@@svfalcon3440 thank you ...i will search..
HAHAHAHA the Dutch Venga Boys . Booom Booom Booom Boooom
😂 I know. We had a crazy dance session most days. Good for exercise but also lifts spirits. Two weeks away from land is a long time. Do stuff to make it fun..!!